Remember NOT all tourist railroads are privately owned and so ridership numbers would be of public importance. Properties such as the Nevada Southern and the C&TS are public institutions. The Grand Canyon Railway is privately held but interacts with a public property the National Park Service so those numbers are out. A railroad like the D&S is truly private but it is important to show their economic impact to community so D&S usually press releases numbers to the Durango Herald.

The FRA has kept statistics on Ridership for many years and that data can be accessed here.

Computing the passenger miles report was one of the thrills of working as Conductor. On the local trains, the report was calculated from the agent's daily ticket sales reports. On the excursion trips, the Conductor started the report after the ticket lift leaving the originating terminal. Passengers entraining/detraining at intermediate stations also had to be accounted for.

_________________"When a man runs on railroads over half of his lifetime he is fit for nothing else-and at times he don't know that."- Conductor Nimrod Bell, 1896

Trackwalker

Post subject: Re: Reporting tourist passenger numbers

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2017 10:57 am

Joined: Wed Nov 29, 2017 8:40 pmPosts: 1

Robby Peartree wrote:

Dear Dave

The FRA has kept statistics on Ridership for many years and that data can be accessed here.

I help out a bit on the Lake Whatcom Railway in Washington State. I just learned a few days ago of this report that has to filled out from Frank Culp (the owner). I was totally unaware of it until then.

TW

ctjacks

Post subject: Re: Reporting tourist passenger numbers

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 12:26 pm

Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:18 pmPosts: 428Location: Illinois

If you don't own your own railroad, and operate on your local short line, such as a RailAmerica affiliate, my understating is they are supposed to report passenger numbers to the FRA - even if said shortline never had regular service nor operated a passenger train before. When we at Bluewater NRHS ran over Lake State RR in Michigan, Lake State would report our passenger counts to the FRA. I doubt anyone at the FRA tracks these numbers or enforces this requirement any more.

MD Ramsey

Post subject: Re: Reporting tourist passenger numbers

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 2:33 pm

Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:52 pmPosts: 35

Well, actually, the FRA does keep track of all 49 CFR Part 225 reporting regarding all regulated railroads. If a tourist/excursion/ historic railroad is not sure regarding their status as an insular tourist/excursion/historic operation and FRA, they should contact the local FRA region for clarification. If a member of Heritage Rail Alliance, they can also assist you.

I can also be of assistance regarding clarification and point you in the right direction.

Mike RamseyFRASpecialist, Passenger Rail Division

Bartman-TN

Post subject: Re: Reporting tourist passenger numbers

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 2:36 pm

Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:45 pmPosts: 111

"I doubt anyone at the FRA tracks these numbers or enforces this requirement any more."

As someone who operates charter trains, I can say that the FRA has repeatedly requested the information from the railroads involved. It is a regular part of the railroad volume reports, and some of the regional offices really keep track of the numbers and watch every little tourist operation and special event. Mike Ramsey of the FRA just confirmed this. The data is also used when rating a grade crossing's safety and risk, and also priority for funding.

Mount Royal

Post subject: Re: Reporting tourist passenger numbers

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 3:21 pm

Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:21 pmPosts: 204Location: Danbury, CT

The Railroad Museum of New England’s Naugatuck Railroad is a common carrier and a class 3 railroad to my understanding. We record passenger counts on all passenger trains. Regardless of requirement and beyond that of keeping an internal record of ridership, it is a practice that serves an important purpose. Having been a professional firefighter and EMT for the better part of a decade, I believe accountability is such a purpose. Having an accurate passenger count and going as far as knowing how many passengers you have in each car, provides valuable information for first responders in the event that an incident should occur.

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